The theme of love

By Olivia Helen and Hannah

INTRODUCTION

William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet is

a heart-breaking tale of two star-crossed lovers.

SAMPSON AND GREGORY

Initially, Shakespeare introduces the theme of love in Act One

Scene One through the characters of Sampson and Gregory. Their

bawdy and Smutty attitudes towards women , illustrates their views

on love:

“tis true and therefore women being the weaker vessels are ever

thrust to the wall: therefore I will push Montague’s men from the

wall, and thrust his maids to the wall”

See women as sexual objects and see love in a completely

different way from other characters

ROMEO

In contrast, Romeo’s attitude towards love is far more elaborate and dramatic.

An impulsive and immature character at the beginning of the play, he wallows in

self-pity highlighting his overly romanticised view of love and its connections to

pain and suffering.

“she hath forsworn to love, and in that vow Do I live dead, that live to tell it

now”

Romeo has an over the top attitude towards love, he declares love for Rosaline

who he barely knows and says that his life is not worth living without her. This

changes since the same day he falls in love with Juliet. This clearly shows that

Romeo has an immature attitude towards love and often exaggerates.

THE NURSE

However the nurses views on love in a jokey manner. That you need

the romantic sides of a relationship and also the sexual aspects to be

in a happy healthy relationship. So despite making crude jokes she

see’s love in a more feminine way than Sampson, Gregory and

Mercutio.

“yea’, quoth my husband, ‘fall’st upon thy face? Thou wilt fall

backward when thou comest to age”

“go girl seek happy nights to happy days”

Although the nurse does have a slightly crude attitude towards love, as she

focusses and jokes about sex, she has had experience with love, as she had a

meaningful relationship with her husband for many years.

MERCUTIO

Mercutio views love in a crude and very boy like manner. He sees

woman as sexual objects rather than actual human beings, similar

to Sampson and Gregory.

“by her high forehead and her scarlet lip, By her fine foot, straight

leg and quivering thigh,”

Similarly to Sampson and Gregory ,Mercutio has a crude attitude

to love. He sees women as objects and doesn’t respect them.

LADY CAPULET

She doesn’t believe in the love side or if Juliet is happy, she only

cares about the money. She's trying to pressure Juliet in to marriage

even if she doesn’t love Paris.

“this precious book of love, this unbound lover, to beautify him

only lacks a cover”

Lady Capulet married young to an older man with money, Lord

Capulet. This reveals that her relationship with her husband is built

on a superficial love.

Married for the wrong reasons only really cares about wealth

instead of love

L O V E B E T W E E N R O M E O A N D J U L I E T

The love between Romeo and Juliet is a rushed and desperate one.

Within hours of meeting each other they agree to be wed. Their love

is forbidden as they are from rival families yet there love prevails

literally ‘till death do us part’.

“O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father

and refuse thy name; Or if thou wilt not, but be sworn my love, and

I’ll no longer be a Capulet”

They fall in love at first sight

Blinded by love, make rash decisions

Relationship doomed from beginning (constant conflict between

families)

CONCLUSION